AS SENIOR CENTER TAKES SHAPE, WAYS SOUGHT TO KEEP COSTS DOWN

LEE FOSTER; Courant Staff WriterTHE HARTFORD COURANT

Using the commercial-size range from the former Leonard's Corner firehouse seemed like a good way to save money on the senior center building project -- until the building committee heard Tuesday about a few small drawbacks.

The range is too big to move out of the firehouse kitchen without expanding the doorway. And even if the committee paid to have a carpenter cut a larger exit, the old range would probably break in transit -- and it has no warrantee, subcontractor Alan Judelson from Modern Food Equipment in New Haven said.

Even Irene Mantlik's plan to hold pancake and bacon breakfasts at the new center was a point against the used range. The range griddle would not hold all the bacon grease, Judelson said.

"I don't recommend it. By the time you're done, it's not free or cheap any more," he said.

And that's not even considering whether the new owner of the firehouse expects to keep the range as part of the property.

The committee voted unanimously not to pursue the used range. The range, along with a dishwasher, will be left in the contract to be provided by the builder.

In all, "It was a good month" for the project, architect Denis Rioux told the committee. The building is beginning to take shape. Walls are up, roof shingles and windows have been installed and the septic system is in the ground. The $725,000 project is within budget.

"There's not much to expect in terms of surprises," Rioux said.

Because the seniors expected to attend center events are considered "the public," the center's kitchen must meet health department codes, Sanitarian Bob DeVito said. There must even be space on the counter dedicated to air-drying implements, he said.

The budget has no provision for kitchen implements, recreational items, furniture or other equipment, so the committee will meet in October to develop a wish list and a contribution party will be held where individuals and businesses can donate items on the list, Chairwoman Kathy Bach said.